National Republican., 1887-03-04
SPORTS OF THE POTOMAC.
The Boat Clubs Arranging for Coming
Summer Sports.

summer bpOrtss
springtime Is on deck, and the fresh
water "salts' who navigate the furious
Potomac are moving slowly up the hatch
ways and in little while they will be on
deck, too. The average boating en-
thusiast arrives trihe earlier In the morn
ing and arouses himself and stiffens his
muscles by fooling with dumb bells, Indian
clubs, and other gymnastic eccentricltles.
His appetite also is being drawn within
makes himself miserable by filling
his interior with rare beefsteak,
stale bread, and very small
modlcum OF tea. The Notwithstanding
cigarette is thrown aside, and he gradually
accustoms himself to smoking but one cigar
o day, while he frequently calls the atten-
tion OF the non.interested and uninitiated
TO the remarkably improved condition OF
his biceps and the more elastic performances
OF the tlexors and extensors. All this to
the end that he may distinguish himself
some time next summer or fall.
The Potomacs had meeting on Wedues.
day night, when several new members were
elected, but they do not expect any re.
markable influx until April or May. They
April, but they may have a crew out the
latter part OF this month II there is any
warm weather. What changes they will
make In the personnel OF their crews Is not
known, nor will anything definite be done
until their next meeting, April O, when oil
the officers and committees will be elected.
The Analostans will have their annual
meeting on Saturday night, when officers
will be elected and plans for the season
marped out. Their float will be out on the
river by the end Of this month, but until
the weather becomes warmer and more
settled little or nothing will be done.
The Columbus have started In as though
\ they meant business. At their last meeting
there were twenty members elected, nine
| teen being active and one contributing.
| They have organized an athletic club, and
intend. as soon as the arrangements are
| completed, building club house and lay
ing out the necessary grounds. This club
| will, in all probability, put the same crews
! on the river that were out last season, but
| there will be no active work done for almost
| two months.
The Washington Canoe Clubs arrange.
ments are further advanced than any Of the
| other organizations. AS early US possible
in April two sailing races will come of.
These were In last years. programme but,
In consequence Of unsatisfactory weather,
they were postponed. The canoeists are
all busy overhauling their canoes, varnish-
ing them, and fitting them suugly for the
L u
active preparations for their regular festl
val. There will probably be six races and
the majority, perhaps all, will be sailing
contests. They have decided to offer Q
prize to the canoe making the best season
record and second prize to the next best
The regatta will be on July 4, land will
wind up, weather permitting, with grand
camp fire within easy distance Of the city
Cruising will be largely INDUCED in-ir
fact, the club is pre- eminently o cruising
club-during April and May. Plans fol
trips both up and down the river are being
matured, and one member, resident ol
OF Boston, seriously contemplates q cruise
from Georgetown to Boston-down the
Potomac and up the bay, thence through
side route to Long Island sound, aud
from thence coast to Boston. The
trip was made in 1884 by two New
York Journalists; they suffered shipwrecl
near Nantucket, but succeeded In finishing
the cruise. The club members are having
their new canoes made Of larger dimensions
and greater stowage capacity, retaining
features Of the true canoe; they can b.
beached without injury and slept in, ant
yet can be padded in calm, so that the
canoeist invariably "gets there Just thu
same" whether clustering Roreas assists
him or not.
| There has been considerable talk in boat
ing circles as to the regatta Of the Virginii
Rowing Association. 1t has hitherto beer
held at either Richmond, Lynchburg, O.
Fredericksburg. The Old Dominion Club
Of Alexandria, is very anxious that thi
| years contest should take place on th,
Potomac near their own home. It woul,
probably be good policy for the association
to concede this, for the chances are bu
slim for any Of our local crews maxim,
entries Il the regatta is further away thai
| Alexandria.